Police have located teen Elijah, who was reported missing in Ngāruawāhia one week ago
Police said he was wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans
Elijah may have travelled to the Rototuna area
Police and Elijah’s family had concerns for his welfare
Hamilton District Court is closed and cases have been disrupted
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This section of State Highway 1 (SH1) has been fully closed during the past 2 weeks
while NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi contractors complete remedial and safety improvements
Night works are now required to complete asphalt work
The SH1 Ngāruawāhia section will be closed overnight on these dates:
Depending on weather and progress the night closures may finish earlier in that second week
outside these closures all traffic remains on the northbound lanes with 3 detours in place until completion
All lanes will open after final inspections are completed in the lead-up to Christmas
View larger map [JPG, 438 KB]
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi works to create transport solutions for all New Zealanders – from helping new drivers earn their licences
to leading safety campaigns to investing in public transport
Police believe they have good leads in a homicide investigation into a woman's death in Ngāruawāhia
but say anyone with information should still do the right thing and come forward
A homicide investigation was launched following the death of Turipapa Tukere, 42, who died on 27 December after she was taken to an ambulance station in Ngāruawāhia
Police had earlier been called to a brawl nearby in the town, and believe they are connected
On New Year's Eve, police said they had been given wider powers for searches in connection to the incidents, after being granted Gang Conflict Warrant
"Police have been speaking with a number of people who are helping to build a picture of what occurred leading up to Turipapa's death
Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said on Monday
"Evidence has also been collected from various scenes across Ngāruawāhia
Police hope this analysis will identify the person and/or people involved."
The Gang Conflict Warrant had allowed police to carry out arrests and seize weapons
and the crack down on the gangs had led to a de-escalation of gang tensions
"Police have also obtained information during the execution of these warrants that may be relevant to the homicide
and this information is currently being reviewed by the investigation team."
Saunders reiterated earlier police pleas for anyone with information about Turipapa's death to contact police
by phoning 105 and quoting the file number 241227/6958
or by reporting anonymously to Crime Stoppers
Waikato police have been granted special permissions allowed in periods of gang conflict
following the death of a woman after a brawl in Ngāruawāhia
Acting Detective Inspector Andy Saunders said someone who was at the fight knows who is responsible
Police have launched a homicide investigation after a woman died following an alleged assault in the Waikato town of Ngāruawāhia this afternoon
was critically injured in an altercation and later died before she could be airlifted to hospital on December 27
A man has been charged with murder following the death of a woman following an altercation in Ngāruawāhia late last year
Police said officers were alerted to several people fighting on Waipa Esplanade, near the intersection with Newton St about 1.30pm on December 27
a critically injured person was taken to an ambulance station on Jordan St," a spokesperson said
Turipapa Tukere
later died before she could be airlifted to hospital
A homicide investigation was launched the same day with Waikato police seeking special search warrant powers as part of the investigation.
The Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act 2023 allows police to apply for special search warrant powers during times of gang conflict.
A 34-year-old man was arrested this morning following two search warrants in Hamilton carried out with the assistance of the armed offenders squad.
He is scheduled to appear in Hamilton District Court today.
Gang conflict warrant issued as part of Ngāruawāhia homicide probeWaikato Police sought the warrant following the death of Turipapa Tukere
Crime and Justice
Homicide probe launched after woman's death in NgāruawāhiaPolice said a "critically injured person" was taken to an ambulance station after reports several people were fighting on Waipa Esplanade this afternoon
Woman who died in Ngāruawāhia brawl named by policePolice were alerted to "a number of people fighting" on Waipa Esplanade
Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Saunders thanked the Ngāruawāhia community for their support during the investigation.
"The investigation is ongoing and we are not ruling out further arrests."
Blaze at McDonald's in east Auckland treated as suspected arson
Counties Manukau CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Michele Gillespie said a scene guard has been in place at the restaurant overnight
Homegrown music festival's new location revealed
New Zealand
Two men's shared name brings years of trouble and a hefty bill to one
but one has spent years breaking the law while the other just pays a steep price for sharing his name
Stephen Stone’s son files complaint over Crown Solicitor’s statement
Stone spent more than 26 years wrongfully imprisoned for the murders of Deane Fuller-Sandys and Leah Stephens
Police believe wave of Invercargill robberies
two burglaries and one attempted burglary took place in Invercargill between 2.30am and 4.20am and are believed to be connected
Tree planted as Kyle Whorrall's mother
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei blessed and planted a provided pōhutukawa tree at St Johns Bush in honour of the slain PhD student from the United States
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Two arrested over alleged plot targeting Lady Gaga concert in RioBrazilian police said they thwarted an alleged bomb attack planned for Lady Gaga's concert on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro.
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Police can apply for special search warrant powers as part of a homicide investigation following the death of a woman in Ngāruawāhia last week
The Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act 2023 allows police to apply for special search warrant powers during times of gang conflict
Waikato Police sought the warrant following the death of Turipapa Tukere
Acting Detective Inspector Andy Saunders said police were alerted to a number of people fighting on Waipa Esplanade near the intersection of Newton St at around 1.30pm on December 27
a critically injured woman was taken to the ambulance station on Jordan St but was sadly pronounced dead at the scene."
A homicide investigation was launched later that afternoon
Saunders said local staff would be supported by officers from Auckland following Tukere's tangi
"Any antisocial or unlawful behaviour and/or driving-related offending will not be tolerated and those involved can expect to be met with enforcement action
"Police will exercise powers under the Search and Surveillance Act through gang conflict warrants as necessary to prevent any retaliatory behaviour or further harm."
Police were still wanting to hear from anyone with information which may lead to an arrest
"We know there are people who know who is responsible and we are asking them to come forward."
Police have today formally named a woman who died following an altercation involving a group in Ngāruawāhia
She was 42-year-old Turipapa Tukere of Ngāruawāhia
Police were alerted to "a number of people fighting" on Waipa Esplanade
a critically injured woman was taken to the ambulance station on Jordan St but despite the best efforts of first responders
the woman died before she could be airlifted to hospital," Acting Detective Inspector Andy Saunders said
A homicide investigation was launched that same day
Saunders said police inquiries into the circumstances around Tukere's death is ongoing
"Someone who was present at that fight knows who is responsible," he said
"We are pleading with those people to come forward and speak to us
"No piece of information is insignificant as we work to determine exactly what has occurred."
Saunders said while police are "committed to identifying who is responsible for Turipapa’s death"
police involved in the investigation "can’t do this without the support and assistance from the community and those who were present"
"There are people who know who is responsible and who are withholding information from the Police
but now is the time to do the right thing and speak to us.”
An increased police presence will remain in the area in coming days
"We know this is unsettling for our community and those involved
and officers will be carrying out reassurance patrols in the area
"If you have any information that could help our enquiries
please update us online now at https://webforms.police.govt.nz/en/update-report or call 105."
Police say a fire at a McDonald's restaurant in Pakuranga is being investigated as a suspected arson
Emergency services attended the fire on Pakuranga Rd just before 3pm yesterday
Large plumes of smoke could be seen and explosions heard at the fast food restaurant
which has "sustained significant fire damage as a result"
"At this point in time we are treating this fire as a suspected arson
"A scene examination is being conducted this morning and police will work alongside a fire investigator," she said
Gillespie said part of these inquiries would be working to understand how the fire began
She said police would like to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity prior to the fire
Anyone with information was urged to contact police online
or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111
Hamilton has been announced as the new home for the Homegrown music festival
In January the festival, which features New Zealand music, confirmed it would be leaving Wellington's waterfront after being there for 18 years
From next year it will be held at Hamilton's Claudelands Oval
Festival director Andrew Tuck said the move is "about creating something that celebrates our roots and gives back to the region that inspires us"
Organisers said that Hamilton offers potential for the festival to expand and evolve as New Zealand's fastest-growing city
"Its central location — just a short journey from the Bay of Plenty
and the King Country — makes it accessible for a wide range of attendees eager to enjoy Aotearoa's finest musical acts."
Tuck said accessibility for as many people as possible is key for the festival
and "being close to such a large population makes this dream even more achievable"
Hamilton City Council deputy chief executive Sean Murray said the festival returning to the Waikato is "a win for the whole upper North Island"
Next year's event will be held on March 14
Shane William Pritchard has been charged with crimes he didn’t commit and chased for debts he doesn’t owe
That’s because the Dunedin man is not the only Shane William Pritchard in town
While the duo’s shared name and age has sometimes been a handy loophole for one Shane
for the other it has caused problems for 36 years
It’s been years of fearing every knock on the door
Years of wondering if he’ll be hand-cuffed and taken to jail
to be honest,” says Shane William Pritchard
a scout and a member of the Air Training Corp
remembers getting quite a shock when her friend called one evening
She'd been acting as a referee for a gun licence for Shane
whose friend informed her that the police had a long list of offences against Shane’s name
Not long after that the police turned up to where Shane was working at the local tannery to arrest him
“You're scrambling in your head to think of ways that you can prove it's not you.”
Another Shane William Pritchard had been born in Otago
They were separated by just two weeks and about 50 miles – one growing up in Mosgiel
the other in Milton – but also by the lives they’d been leading
To watch the full video story go to TVNZ+
Shane from Milton had huge problems focusing at school
He was raised in foster care and then boys’ homes
I just wanted to look cool and get in trouble,” he tells Fair Go
Milton Shane was used to run-ins with police
he got pulled over in his car and asked about his driving licence
one’s got a licence and the other hasn’t.’ And I’m like ‘obviously it must be the one with a licence’.”
he went to his bank to draw out an ACC payment and was asked which bank account was his
He says that at that point he was trying to figure out what was going on
“I thought it was just an error.” But he took advantage of the situation and withdrew a large sum of cash
Mosgiel Shane became aware of the withdrawal when a scheduled car payment was declined
and when Milton Shane turned up at the bank to withdraw more money
Identity fraud was considered but Milton Shane was legitimately expecting an ACC payment
so the withdrawal appeared to be a genuine mistake and the police couldn’t take any action
'Anything I could get away with
Mosgiel Shane thought the bank incident would have alerted police to the problem
But his nemesis had cottoned on to the advantages of having a second identity to use
Milton Shane acquired a suite of furniture on hire-purchase
Milton-Shane clocked up more driving offences
Mosgiel Shane thought about changing his name but realised he’d have to provide his previous name in the process
the courts and debt collectors such as Baycorp should be able to distinguish between himself and Milton Shane
The police first addressed the issue in the 1990s after Mosgiel Shane went to the media
He was given a letter to carry with him should he be apprehended
He and his parents felt his situation wasn’t being taken seriously
Mosgiel Shane went to the media a second time in the mid-2000s
the police gave their word that a record in their system would stop the misidentification from happening again
This does appear to have worked as far as police action goes
But while Mosgiel Shane was given the same reassurance by the Ministry of Justice
he continued to receive demands from the courts for unpaid fines
He’d also get stopped and questioned whenever he left the country for work trips or holidays
It took a huge toll on Mosgiel Shane’s mental health
not realising the constant stress it placed on his life
John Pritchard says that at times his son felt his life wasn’t worth living
worrying about what he was going to do to himself and that really ate me up.”
he and his son were in tears as Shane admitted he was at breaking point
He described going for days at a time unable to eat or sleep wondering what might happen next
"Am I going to be in a position where they've got me in handcuffs or I've got debt collectors coming to the door?" ...You're spiralling into this black hole." He started taking anti-anxiety medication which helped
And events regarding Milton Shane seemed to settle
Milton Shane was charged for fishing without a licence in Twizel and failing to comply with fisheries officers
But a court registrar incorrectly entered the birth date of Mosgiel Shane in the system
both Shanes were being chased to pay the $1530 fine
It was Mosgiel Shane who spotted the error and rang the court
He also sent a statement from his manager saying he’d not been fishing in Twizel that day
The reply he got was to say he’d been given the wrong form and that they wouldn’t accept his proof
They just wanted to know how I was going to pay the fine.”
The first Milton Shane knew about this was when Fair Go told him Mosgiel Shane had been chased for the fine
He was told to pay up or face the consequences
feeling he shouldn’t have to pay good money to correct someone else’s mistake
But it cost Mosgiel Shane over $5000 in legal fees
and took months of back and forth between him
“Why should anybody have to pay their own money to right somebody else's wrongs and prove who they are
I’m sick and tired of proving who I am all the time.”
He wanted the Ministry of Justice to take responsibility and reimburse him for his legal costs
saying court staff such as the registrar in this case have immunity if they make mistakes such as the one made here
and if I make a mistake and it's affecting my client
that it's going to cost them money to rectify a mistake that I've made.”
he deserves a million apologies from those guys,” she says
Milton Shane told Fair Go he still gets in trouble
but wants the other Shane to know he doesn’t use his birth date anymore
And he had a message for him: “We’ve got to get it sorted for you
so you can have a good life with you and your family because I’m trying to get my life together with my son and my grandson”
He offers to meet to see if they can sort it out together
but I’m not interested in meeting him,.” says Mosgiel Shane
He says he doesn’t hold any grudges and accepts Milton Shane’s apology
And he believes the only way for that to happen is for the courts and the Ministry of Justice to give him a guarantee that mix-ups won’t occur in the future
Fair Go asked the Ministry of Justice to appear in person to apologise and provide reassurance to Shane of its plans to guard against these mistakes
The Ministry declined our request to be on camera saying any comment on an individual case would compromise the independence of the courts as the Ministry operates separately
But it did send a written apology directly to Mosgiel Shane
It also admitted mistakes can occur in clerical records
but said instructions were clear and the importance of getting things right had been emphasised to staff
Mosgiel Shane isn’t totally convinced that’s the end of it
“All I want is for the Ministry of Justice and the courts to do their job
I'd like to live without this hanging over me all the time
his criminal check has come back showing a clean slate
The son of Stephen Stone has filed a Law Society complaint against the Auckland Crown Solicitor
alleging she misled the court with her statement about the lack of evidence to retry his father
who was acquitted of double murder last week
said Alysha McClintock’s statement had caused "significant harm" to his father and family by “perpetuating a myth” the Crown case was dropped because witnesses were unavailable
Stephen Stone spent more than 26 years wrongfully imprisoned for the 1989 murders of Deane Fuller-Sandys and Leah Stephens
the Crown admitted he and three others convicted in connection with the crime suffered a miscarriage of justice
The Court of Appeal accepted a police failure to disclose two key documents led to the miscarriage
Stone’s convictions were quashed in October and a retrial ordered
Known as the "Larnoch Road Four"
their convictions relied heavily on four eyewitnesses who were given immunity from prosecution and name suppression
McClintock told the High Court in Auckland one of the key reasons a retrial couldn’t go ahead was because three of the four witnesses were "no longer available
through a combination of the consequences of the appeal decision
death and witnesses no longer being in New Zealand"
The Evidence Act sets out scenarios where a witness is considered unavailable
These include if the person is dead; outside of New Zealand and it’s not reasonably practicable for them to be a witness; they are unfit to be a witness; or they cannot be compelled to give evidence
Daniel Stone acknowledged one witness was dead and one was in Australia
he claimed that it was not correct to say three witnesses were no longer available
the others were “wholly unreliable” witnesses
and the Crown’s statement was: “Designed to publicly spin the position in favour of the prosecution
in an inappropriate abuse of the Crown's role.”
During the Court of Appeal hearing in August
the court heard the two non-recanting witnesses had changed their stories significantly multiple times
and how bodies were disposed of,” Stephen Stone’s lawyer Annabel Maxwell-Scott told the court
The Court of Appeal declined to rule their evidence inadmissible
“The fact Mr X and Mr Y each made a number of startling contradictory statements to the police was before both juries in the earlier trial,” the judgement said
McClintock said there was no longer enough evidence to prove charges against Stone beyond a reasonable double – referring to additional ESR testing on samples collected by police at the time which had not produced any results of significance; and Stone’s admissions of murder to get parole did not provide a basis for prosecution
said outside the court on Wednesday that the Crown’s statement was “incredibly frustrating”
“There is no acknowledgement of their own role in these miscarriages of justice
and they gave the distinct impression that they believe Stephen has done something — and that's outrageous in my view."
McClintock told 1News: "It is not appropriate for me to engage in debate about the reasons for my decision or the content of the statement through the media."
Attorney-General Judith Collins’ office said: "It is not appropriate for the Attorney-General to comment about what has been said in Court by a prosecutor about a particular criminal prosecution."
Stephen Stone’s acquittal was handled very differently to the acquittal of Alan Hall – another high-profile miscarriage of justice case
the Crown and court acknowledged the miscarriage
"We cannot end this judgment without acknowledging that
just as the criminal justice system has failed Mr Hall
so too has it failed the Easton family," said the 2022 judgment
Alan Hall was declared innocent in 2023 and received nearly $5 million compensation for 19 years wrongful imprisonment
Police have appealed to the public after two aggravated robberies and a series of burglaries in Invercargill overnight
Detective Inspector Stu Harvey said officers were called to a premises on Dee St at around 2.30am on Monday to reports of two people entering a store demanding cash
A worker was assaulted but not seriously injured
Harvey said an attempted burglary and two burglaries were reported at three further premises on Windsor St
Police then received a report that two people had entered a Tay St premises and demanded cash and items
Harvey said information suggested the incidents were linked
"Two vehicles were seen in the vicinity of some of the incidents
"The other vehicle is described as a dark-coloured car," said Harvey
"We would like to speak to anyone who saw vehicles fitting these descriptions between 1am and 5am."
Anyone with relevant information about these vehicles or those involved should contact police on 105
A pōhutukawa tree has been planted in honour of Kyle Whorrall
the US PhD student slain during an attack at an Auckland bus stop last month
The 33-year-old was attacked at a bus stop on St Johns Rd in Meadowbank on April 19
friends and colleagues of Whorrall gathered for a vigil on April 24 at the bus stop where he was attacked
Whorrall's mother Carole was joined by members of the community and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei for the blessing and to plant a pōhutukawa tree in honour of his life
The planting ceremony began with a blessing by Otene Reweti from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei
"This tree will stand as a memorial to Kyle
to come to this special place and remember Kyle and what he has done and what he was looking to do
"This tree indicates times to harvest different things in our seasons and also pōhutukawa in terms of the star from Matariki and pleiades
So Kyle is one of those that we are reminded again of his tragic passing in this area," said Reweti
Carole was flanked by Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson and one of Whorrall's flatmates as she shovelled dirt onto the base of the tree
She softly commented that she enjoyed gardening
as the sun shone down on her in St Johns Bush
Others shared a poem or short tribute to Whorrall's life and the tragedy that it was cut short
Ōrākei Local Board chairperson Scott Milne said that in times of tragedy it was important to "look at the good stuff" and find moments of connection with one another
"We have now forged a relationship across the waters
This family will come back to see this tree thrive and out of that tragedy we will find good," he said
He told Te Karere the tragedy had "turned our community upside down"
"Yet in the matter of a few short weeks
the community have come together certainly like nothing I have ever seen before
"There is just this deep disappointment
and we all feel so privileged to live here
He said he hoped over time the grief would "turn to healing" and that Carole would continue to come back and see the tree flourish and grow
"People understand they have to talk more to each other
watch out for one another and we want to make something of this lovely young man's life by changing our attitude."
He said the board had worked hard to build relationships over the past six years
"The relationship with Ngāti Whātua is deeply personal and important to this board
A 16-year-old youth has been remanded in custody after being charged with his murder
and a 32-year-old woman was also charged with being an accessory to murder after the fact
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said the investigation was "by no means over" as police believed "there were other occupants in the vehicle" when Whorrall was attacked
He said officers have since seized a black SUV on the North Shore
It was being forensically examined by police
"Our enquiries are ongoing to locate these persons of interest
and I encourage them to do the right thing and come into their nearest police station or phone us."
The detective inspector said police were also seeking "critical witnesses"
including a white Toyota ute that was cut off by the black SUV doing a U-turn in front of them
He said police were still working to fully understand the events leading up to his death
the Blues' veteran midfielder whose rugby journey took him from the All Blacks sevens
Toulon and back to New Zealand with the Blues
has retired from the game at the age of 36
who helped the Blues win the Super Rugby championship last year
He is turning his professional attentions to facts and figures in his new role as a mortgage broker
it’s the people I’ve met and the memories I’ve made that stand out the most
I’m grateful for the opportunity to have represented several teams on my journey and to finish here at the Blues and winning a championship last season was something special.”
“I want to make special mention of my wife Jocelyn for supporting me through this entire journey
holding it all down at home so I could focus on doing what I love
none of this would have been possible,” he said
known as "uncle" at the Blues due to his age
said the franchise had helped extend his playing career
“I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to the entire Blues organisation - the coaches
and everyone who’s played some part in my career,” he said
“You’ve all played a huge role in making this such a special time in my life
I’ve learned so much and will be forever grateful for your belief in me.”
“A special shout-out to the medical staff..
you’ve worked wonders on my body as I’ve gotten older..."
Heem said he had been working towards becoming a mortgage broker as part of his professional development at the Blues
“I’ve had the privilege of learning a lot during my time at the Blues
and I’m eager to bring that knowledge and discipline to the world of finance,” Heem said
The government is making it harder to make a claim for pay equity that will cut costs
There have been massive pay equity claims in recent years for nurses and resthome workers
Workplace Minister Brooke van Velden announced the moves to raise the threshold for proving work has been historically undervalued to support a claim
on Tuesday saying changes back in 2020 had created problems
"Claims have been able to progress without strong evidence of undervaluation and there have been very broad claims where it is difficult to tell whether differences in pay are due to sex-based discrimination or other factors."
Claims were concentrated in the public sector
with costs to the Crown of all settlements so far totalling $1.78 billion a year
"The changes I am proposing will significantly reduce costs to the Crown," she said
"The changes will discontinue current pay equity claims
The nurse's union has this year had at least 10 pay equity claims in play
The PSA union has said pay equity claims and settlements had resulted in significant improvements in pay and working conditions for many workers
rnz.co.nz
Cardinal John Dew is about to go into conclave to vote for a new pope
is among the 133 cardinals gathered in the Vatican to elect a successor to Pope Francis
Dew and his fellow Cardinals will be locked away from the world as they participate in daily votes in the Sistine Chapel until white smoke billows from the rooftop signalling a new pope is selected
Read more about how the conclave works here
He follows in the footsteps of Cardinal Reginald Delargey and Cardinal Thomas Williams - Kiwis who had previously entered conclave in 1978 and 2005
Dew said cardinals had been meeting daily to share their perspectives on the needs of the church and what qualities a new pope would need to possess to address said needs
“Listening to what everyone is saying and the kind of person they're looking for
to hear the passion that people have for spreading the work of the Gospel,” Dew said
“I think one of the things that a new pope will need to do is to continue to try and give hope to the world
“But as well as being the leader of the Church
he needs to be a world leader who's prepared to speak out and
in this world of disinformation and misinformation and sometimes lies
Dew said other cardinals who had previously participated in conclavce described the centuries-old tradition as "divinely inspired"
“A couple of the cardinals actually said you can go into the conclave and even have some ideas
but it's only after a vote or two that things start to clarify,” he recalled
but it became very clear that he was the one
They described that as the work of Holy Spirit
“And the fact that you're in a place where you have no contact with anybody else – no cell phones
no iPads – the whole thing becomes a bit like a retreat and a real time of prayer.”
Dew said finding a successor among a sea of so many contenders also had him feeling some "apprehension"
the fact that this only happens once every few years
and it has incredible consequences for the Church and for the world
A trail-blazing tribal leader today starts a new job bringing together eight iwi to look after Taranaki Maunga
Iwi now have equal say with the Crown in running the former Egmont National Park
The Minister of Conservation will need iwi agreement to approve management plans for what is now called Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki
Wharehoka Wano will lead Te Tōpuni Ngārahu – a new body of representatives from the region’s eight iwi – to govern the park alongside the conservation minister
The arrangement is laid out in Te Ture Whakatupua mō te Kāhui Maunga, the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Act
passed unanimously by Parliament in January
Another group called Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi – half appointed by iwi and half by the Crown – will develop management plans for Te Tōpuni Ngārahu and the minister to consider
Wano has for nine years been the first chief executive of Te Kāhui o Taranaki
the agency set up when Taranaki iwi settled its historical Treaty claims
Wano has helped shape Taranaki iwi’s future and he’s also a trustee for the neighbouring iwi’s post-settlement agency Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa.
He’s one of the dozen counsellors on the Kīngitanga’s Tekau-mā-rua
the advisory body for Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po – as he was for her father the late Kīngi Tūheitia
At Wano’s farewell from Te Kāhui o Taranaki
veteran campaigner Peter Moeahu said Wano was “an ambassador
a diplomat extraordinaire,” and reckoned he would need those skills
“You might have thought handling one iwi was bad enough
referring to South Taranaki’s Te Pakakohi and Tangahoe which are not recognised as iwi by the Crown
Te Kāhui o Taranaki chair Jacqui King said Wano had dealt with arms of the Crown on many fronts
really challenging because often you get so impassioned by the unjust behaviours and practices
“You have to carry that in such a way that you can't be asked to leave - and Whare is an absolute expert at ensuring he says what needs to be said without being offensive.”
Te Kāhui’s operations manager Mark Wipatene said he’d known many aggressive
cut-throat chief executives – “silverback gorillas who have massive egos”
“They wouldn’t last a day in this space because you can’t operate that way.”
“Whare has the ability to navigate through that world and bring his kaimahi with him because he has no ego
Liana Poutu helped negotiate the maunga settlement
and said Wano’s calming influence wasn’t limited to dealings with government
“And when we want to take on some whawhai (fight) Whare’s like
‘are you sure that's how you want to do it?’”
Wano’s niece and former colleague Puna Wano-Bryant said he would bring impeccable communication to the Maunga job
“He has the ability to open new ways for people to heal and reconcile their own relationships with each other.”
Wano-Bryant said she often spotted surfboards in her uncle’s car and he would explain he was off to a “board hui”
Fellow surfer and new Taranaki Regional Council chair Craig Williamson has known Wano for almost 20 years and praised his work for the betterment of Taranaki communities
We’ve had three board meetings this week.”
In 2016 the Crown accepted that Taranaki Maunga and the adjacent ranges would become a legal person and own itself as Te Kāhui Tupua
the Crown agreed to share management of the national park Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki with iwi
There's now a search on for four people to represent the iwi of Taranaki on Te Tōpuni Kōkōrangi
serving as the face and voice of Te Kāhui Tupua
When Parliament passed the redress law in January it officially recognised the peaks as tupuna maunga – ancestral mountains
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ on Air
The National Party has introduced a new members' bill to ban social media for those aged under 16
Christopher Luxon announced the bill alongside National Tukituki MP Catherine Wedd this morning
Wedd said the My Social Media Age-Appropriate Users Bill "puts the onus on social media companies to verify that someone is over the age of 16 before they access social media platforms"
Key aspects of the Bill would include obligations for the social media platforms
defence for providers to rely on reasonable verification measures
regulatory oversight and a review after three years
there are no legally enforceable age verification measures for social media platforms in New Zealand
Members' bills are introduced by MPs who are not Ministers
and need to be drawn from a ballot to be debated in Parliament
Luxon said he was hopeful of gaining bipartisan support
He had spoken with coalition partners ACT and NZ First about it
but would let them speak about their position
He said this was an issue he had been passionate about since 2018
and as a dad he felt the party needed to do more to keep young people safe from online harm
We want to protect our kids from the harms of social media. That’s why today National has introduced a members bill to ban social media for kids under 16 years old. pic.twitter.com/TiQJs87DhQ
"It's time that New Zealand acknowledged that for all the good things that come from social media
it's not always a safe place for our young people to be and we need to do something about it."
He said teachers and parents had raised issues with him including cyber bullying
exposure to inappropriate content and exploitation and social media addiction
"Social media should not be exempt from social responsibility
and it is time we put the onus on these platforms," he said
Wedd said social media was "an extraordinary resource"
“As a mother of four children I feel very strongly that families and parents should be better supported when it comes to overseeing their children's online exposure
The bill closely mirrors the approach taken in Australia
which passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill in December 2024
At the end of last year, a 1News Verian Poll found more than two-thirds of New Zealand voters supported restricting social media access for under-16s
The poll results showed that 68% backed introducing similar legislation in New Zealand as in Australia
and 10% were undecided or preferred not to say
National Party supporters and women showed the strongest support for the proposed restrictions
while opposition was highest among 18-34-year-olds and men
Wedd said "other jurisdictions are also taking action"
"Texas recently passed legislation which bans under 18s from social media use and the UK
the EU and Canada all have similar work in train," she said
"This bill builds on National’s successful and successful cell phone ban in schools and reinforces the Government's commitment to setting our children up for success."
Family First chief executive Bob McCoskrie welcomed the introduction of the Bill
but questioned why it was not a government priority
"or at the very least have a parliamentary and public discussion via a Select Committee process"
"Family First thanks Catherine Wedd for drafting the Bill
but once again calls on all the coalition parties in the Government (ACT and NZ First) to adopt the bill as a Government bill and ultimately walk the talk when it comes to protecting children online
“This important discussion needs to be a priority for the Government and not left in a biscuit tin."
A person has died following a crash on Auckland's south-western motorway this morning
The single vehicle crash was reported to police shortly before 5am
the sole occupant of this vehicle died at the scene," a police spokesperson said
"Earlier closures of northbound lanes have now lifted
and police advise motorists to continue to expect delays as earlier backlogs clear
"We appreciate motorists' understanding this morning while emergency services carried out their work."
Police said the serious crash unit examined the scene this morning
and an investigation was underway into this morning's crash on behalf of the Coroner
This is in addition to an earlier crash on Auckland's northern motorway near the Auckland Harbour Bridge
Emergency services responded to a two-truck collision on the northern motorway
near the Auckland Harbour Bridge shortly after 5am
New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said all lanes south on State Highway 1 were open again following this earlier crash
with five lanes available on the Harbour Bridge
"Allow extra time for delays on the Northern Motorway to slowly ease this morning three lanes going south were now open again between Onewa Rd and the Harbour Bridge," NZTA said
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's landslide win at the weekend following Canadian Prime Minister's Mark Carney's victory less than a week before should indicate to our politicians that the New Zealand "Trump trend" of 2024 may have peaked
Trying to capitalise on the electoral success of US President Donald Trump
now that his policies are having real-world effects
is proving to be a big mistake for conservative leaders
Australian voters have delivered a landslide win for the incumbent Labor Party
returning Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for a second term with a clear majority of seats
When he said in his victory speech that Australians had “voted for Australian values”
an unspoken message was that they’d firmly rejected Trumpian values
opposition and Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton had such a bad election he lost his own seat
While not the only reason for his electoral demise
Dutton’s adoption of themes associated with Trump backfired
Opinion polls were projecting Dutton’s Coalition to win
and exceeded expectations in the election itself
the Liberals were “reduced to a right-wing populist party that is all but exiled from the biggest cities”
Commentators identified a number of reasons
including his “culture wars” and being depicted by Labor as “Trump-lite”
Following a Trumpian pathway turned out to be a strategic blunder
And Dutton’s downfall mirrors Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s defeat in Canada’s election on April 28
Canada’s incumbent centre-left Liberals were heading for defeat to the Conservatives
But there were two gamechangers: the Liberals switched leaders from Justin Trudeau to Mark Carney
and Trump caused a national uproar with his aggressive tariffs and his call for Canada to become the 51st US state
Pre-election opinion polls then did a dramatic flip in favour of the Liberals
who went on to win their fourth election in a row
Poilievre’s campaign had adopted elements of the Trump style
such as attacking “wokeness” and using derogatory nicknames for opponents
His strategy failed as soon as Trump rolled out “America First” policies contrary to Canadians’ economic interests and national pride
The takeaway for serious right-wing leaders in liberal democracies is clear: let Trump do Trump; his brand is toxic
Trump’s actions are harming America’s allies
affirmative action and climate change have seen voters outside the US react with self-protective patriotism
A perceived association with Trump’s brand has now upended the electoral fortunes of (so far) two centre-right parties that had been in line to win
and had been banking on the 2024 MAGA success somehow rubbing off on them
what has been dubbed the “Trump slump” isn’t a universal trend
the centre-left Social Democratic-led government was ousted in February
in spite of Trump ally Elon Musk’s unhelpful support for the far-right
anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party
the populist Reform UK party has risen above 25%
while Labour has fallen from 34% in last year’s election to the low 20s in recent polls
But other governing centre-left parties are seeing an upside of the Trump effect
In early January it looked like the incumbent Labour Party would be trounced by the Conservatives and the right-wing Progress Party
Opinion polls dramatically flipped in early February
boosting Labour from below 20% back into the lead
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre will get another term in office
Denmark’s governing Social Democrats have enjoyed a small polling boost
since Trump declared he’d like to take Greenland off their hands
The common denominator underlying these shifts to the left seems to be the Trump effect
Voters in countries normally closely allied with the US are turning away from Trump-adjacent politicians
people are rallying patriotically around centre-left
Trump is harming leaders who could have been his allies
the man himself seemed proud of the impact he had in Canada
polls in mid-2024 showed support for Trump was growing – heading well above 20%
Australia’s election suggests that trend may now be past its peak
with debate over ACT’s contentious Treaty Principles Bill behind it
and despite NZ First leader Winston Peters’ overt culture-war rhetoric (which may appeal to his 6% support base)
the right-wing coalition government’s polling shows it could be on track for a second term – for the time being
While the Trump effect may have benefited centre-left parties in Australia and Canada
polling for New Zealand’s Labour opposition is softer than at the start of the year
While “America First” policies continue to damage the global economy
centre-right leaders who learn the lesson will quietly distance themselves from the Trump brand
while maintaining cordial relations with the White House
could do worse than follow Anthony Albanese’s example of not getting distracted by “Trump-lite” and instead promoting his own country’s values of fairness and mutual respect.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GUGWB5HTRVGGNP5PFWDLBH7SXM","content":"Grant Duncan is a teaching fellow in Politics and International Relations
This story is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence
","type":"text"},{"_id":"BMPLRKQ2NRDPZOPKHPADSUD4UE","content":"
Lady Gaga gave a free concert Saturday night in front of 2 million fans who poured onto Copacabana Beach for the biggest show of her career
(...) Thank you for making history with me,” Lady Gaga told a screaming crowd
kicked off the show at around 22.10pm local time with her 2011 song Bloody Mary
Cries of joy rose from the tightly-packed fans who sang and danced shoulder-to-shoulder on the vast stretch of sand
Concert organisers said 2.1 million people attended the show
switching between an array of dresses including one with the colours of the Brazilian flag
Some fans – many of them young – arrived on the beach at the crack of dawn to secure a good spot
“Today is the best day of my life,” said Manoela Dobes
a 27-year-old designer who was wearing a dress plastered with a photograph from when she met Lady Gaga in the United States in 2019
Madonna also turned Copacabana Beach into a massive dance floor last year
The large-scale performances are part of an effort led by City Hall to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Years’ Eve festivities and the upcoming month-long Saint John’s Day celebrations in June
“It brings activity to the city during what was previously considered the low season – filling hotels and increasing spending in bars
generating jobs and income for the population,” said Osmar Lima
the city’s secretary of economic development
in a statement released by Rio City Hall’s tourism department last month
Rio’s City Hall said in a recent report that around 1.6 million people were expected to attend Lady Gaga's concert and that the show should inject at least 600 million reais (NZ$178.3 million) into Rio’s economy
Similar concerts are scheduled to take place every year in May at least until 2028
Lady Gaga arrived in Rio in the early hours of Tuesday
The city has been alive with Gaga-mania since
as it geared up to welcome the pop star for her first show in the country since 2012
Rio’s metro employees danced to Lady Gaga’s 2008 hit song LoveGame and gave instructions for today in a video
A free exhibition celebrating her career sold out
While the vast majority of attendees were from Rio
the event also attracted Brazilians from across the country and international visitors
More than 500,000 tourists poured into the city in the days leading up to the show
according to data from the local bus station and Tom Jobim airport
Rio’s City Hall said in a statement yesterday
made a cross-continent trip from Colombia to Brazil to attend the show
“I’ve been a 100% fan of Lady Gaga my whole life,” said Serrano
who was wearing a T-shirt featuring Lady Gaga’s outlandish costumes over the years
the mega-star represents “total freedom of expression – being who one wants without shame”
Rio officials have a history of organising huge concerts on Copacabana Beach
Madonna’s show drew an estimated 1.6 million fans last year
while 4 million people flooded onto the beach for a 1994 New Year’s Eve show by Rod Stewart in 1994
that was the biggest free rock concert in history
sixteen sound towers were spread along the beach
Rio state’s security plan included the presence of 3300 military and 1500 police officers
Among those present were Lady Gaga admirers who remember their disappointment in 2017
when the artist cancelled a performance scheduled in Rio at the last minute due to health issues
“She's the best artist in the world,” the 25-year-old said
I love you” in Portuguese rose from the crowd behind him
whose real name is Ella Yelich O'Connor
which also displayed what appears to be the album cover art — an X-ray of a pelvis
"100% written in blood," the website read
The new album's announcement came a week after she released her latest single What Was That
The song's music video was filmed at a mysterious pop-up event in New York City's Washington Square Park that was initially shut down by police. The event ended up going ahead after all, and fans who stayed got to hear the new song for the first time.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lorde (@lorde)
It was the first sign of a follow-up to Lorde's previous album
Her other albums were 2013's Pure Heroine and 2017's Melodrama
she collaborated with British singer Charli XCX on a remix of Girl
so confusing — on a re-release of the Grammy award-winning Brat
Kim Kardashian thought she was going to be raped and killed when criminals broke into her bedroom in central Paris
tied her up and stole more than US$6 million in jewellery
10 people will go on trial in Paris over the robbery
abduction and kidnapping of the media personality and the concierge of the residence where she was staying during Paris Fashion Week the night of October 2
Kardashian’s lawyers said she will testify in person at the trial starting Monday and scheduled to run through May 23
"Ms Kardashian is reserving her testimony for the court and jury and does not wish to elaborate further at this time," they said
"She has great respect and admiration for the French justice system and has been treated with great respect by the French authorities
"She wishes the trial to proceed in an orderly fashion
in accordance with French law and with respect for all parties to the case."
In interviews and on her family’s reality TV show
Kardashian has described being terrified as robbers pointed a gun at her
In a 2020 appearance on David Letterman’s Netflix show
she tearfully recalled thinking: "This is the time I’m going to get raped
Twelve people were originally expected in the defendants’ box
and another is seriously ill and can't be tried
five of the 10 defendants were present at the scene of the robbery
The French press has dubbed them The Granddad Robbers because the main defendants are elderly and have careers as bank robbers with long criminal records
Kardashian told investigators she was taken to a bathroom next to her bedroom and placed in the bathtub
Her attackers fled on bicycles or on foot and she managed to free herself by removing the tape from her hands and mouth
She had also removed the tape from her feet and rushed to her stylist’s room
She called her sister Kourtney to tell her about the theft
Kardashian told investigators that she had not been injured
adding that she wanted to leave France as soon as possible to be reunited with her children
According to her testimony and that of the concierge
at least one of the suspects had a handgun
The gangsters stole many pieces of jewellery
estimated to be worth more than US$6 million (NZ$10 million)
Only one piece of jewellery — a diamond cross on platinum that was lost during the suspects' escape — has been recovered
Two of the accused have partially confessed to the crime
is one of two suspected robbers who allegedly entered the apartment
his genetic profile was found on the tape used to gag Kardashian
who was waiting for him in a parked car at a nearby train station
The second robber said he tied up the concierge with cables but did not go up to Kardashian’s apartment
said he acted as a lookout in the ground-floor reception area
He said he was unarmed and did not personally threaten Kardashian
but admitted he shared responsibility for the crime
Abbas was arrested in January 2017 and spent 21 months in prison before being released under judicial supervision
he co-authored a French-language book titled I Sequestered Kim Kardashian
is the second alleged robber suspected of entering the flat
although he was filmed by CCTV cameras and numerous telephone contacts with the other co-defendants show his involvement
The other defendants are suspected of providing information about Kardashian’s presence in the apartment
Others are accused of playing a role in the resale of the jewellery in Antwerp
Joe Cocker and Bad Company will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — in a class that also includes pop star Cyndi Lauper
the rock duo the White Stripes and grunge masters Soundgarden
the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status
and the late singer-songwriter Warren Zevon will get the Musical Influence Award
pianist Nicky Hopkins and bassist Carol Kaye will each get the Musical Excellence Award
who sang at Woodstock and was best known for his cover of The Beatles’ With a Little Help From My Friends
a member of Elvis Costello & The Attractions
who argued that Cocker is "about as rock and roll as it gets"
Soundgarden — with the late Chris Cornell as singer — get into the Hall on their third nomination
They follow two other grunge acts in the Hall — Nirvana and Pearl Jam
Bad Company get in having become radio fixtures with such arena-rock staples as Feel Like Makin’ Love
Can’t Get Enough and Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy
The Ahmet Ertegun Award — given to nonperforming industry professionals who had a major influence on music — will go to Lenny Waronker
Some nominees that didn't get in this year included Mariah Carey
and subsequent Let’s Twist Again are considered among the most popular songs in the history of rock 'n' roll
The 83-year-old has expressed frustration that he hadn't been granted entry before
including telling the AP in 2014: "I don’t want to get in there when I’m 85 years old
so you better do it quick while I’m still smiling."
Lauper rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as Time After Time and Girls Just Want To Have Fun and went on to win a Tony Award for Kinky Boots
have six Grammys and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop
The White Stripes — made up of Jack White and Meg White — were indie darlings in the early 2000s with such songs as Seven Nation Army
Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they’re eligible for induction
The induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles this fall
Nominees were voted on by more than 1200 artists
historians and music industry professionals
The selection criteria include "an artist’s impact on other musicians
the scope and longevity of their career and body of work
as well as their innovation and excellence in style and technique"
Dave Matthews Band and singer-guitarist Peter Frampton were inducted
Lorde has dropped her new single What Was That after weeks of cryptic posts and teases that set fans buzzing
It's the lead single from her upcoming fourth album and her first original solo release since 2021's Solar Power
which is three minutes and 28 seconds in length
Some fans had been lucky enough to hear the track in full earlier this week.
On Wednesday, Lorde posted a picture of Washington Square Park yesterday with the caption "tonight 7pm".
Fans flooded the park an hour before she was supposed to appear, with photos shared of eager fans scaling trees to catch a glimpse of the singer.
Shortly before she was to perform, the Royals singer took to social media to tell fans police had shut the event down.
"Omg @thepark the cops are shutting us down," the message read.
"I am truly amazed by how many of you showed !!!
"But they’re telling me you gotta disperse ... I’m so sorry."
However, the pop-up event ended up going ahead after all, with fans who stayed getting their first full airing of Lorde's new single.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lorde (@lorde)
Lorde, real name Ella Yelich O'Connor, announced the single last week
sharing a headshot-style photo of her wearing a red shirt with a dripping wet face
Earlier this month, she dropped a 15-second snippet of the unreleased song
Lorde was seen wearing a white shirt and jeans while walking through New York City
I gave you everything/Now we wake from a dream
What was that?” she sings over a synth beat
It was the first sign of a follow up to Lorde's previous album
A man has been charged with the murder of Turipapa Tukere, who died after an altercation in Ngāruawāhia on 27 December 2024.
The 34-year-old was arrested on Tuesday morning
after two search warrants in Hamilton were carried with the assistance of the Armed Offenders Squad
He is scheduled to appear in Hamilton District Court today
Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Saunders said
"We would like to thank the Ngāruawāhia community for their support during the investigation into Turipapa's death," Saunders said
If you have information which could assist the investigation team but have not yet spoken to us
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday
They still want anyone with information to do the right thing and come forward
The 34-year-old made his second appearance at the High Court at Hamilton this week
The Hamilton man pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering Tukere and to charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to an alleged second victim
died of her injuries before she could be airlifted to Waikato Hospital
She was one of four children of Percy and Rangimawae Tukere
a Waikato couple who gave great service to Tūrangawaewae Marae and its many events throughout the years
The commitment of Turipapa Tukere to her family and culture was evident throughout her life
becoming a key figure in preparing the meat for hui and events at the marae
They said whānau felt pain about the way Tukere died and could still feel her spirit
“Especially losing her the way that we did
It was quite tragic being at the marae not knowing who did this to her and going through the whole tangihanga still not knowing
“She’s not at peace; she’s still floating around trying to figure out what happened to her
Family spokeswoman Wynae Tukere says Tukere followed her parents into the lower part of the wharekai (dining hall) at Tūrangawaewae
“During Koroneihana [the Kīngitanga’s coronation ceremony last year]
She carried on her mother and father’s legacy.”
‘Come up and dress the plates with us cuz,’
Wynae Tukere said Turipapa Tukere was someone who many would gravitate to and had many friends who
“They usually host a few of them at the maunga
But that’s their grieving process,“ Wynae Tukere said
Turipapa Tukere’s legacy survives through her four children: Pomare
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a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday
The minister says she's changed her processes after admitting processes were 'untidy'
The second week of closures starts on Sunday night
The team is working day and night to get the remedial and safety improvements completed before Christmas
All traffic has been detoured off this section of SH1 from midnight last Sunday 24 November to noon today Friday 29 November
and that will be repeated from midnight this Sunday 1 December until noon Friday 6 December
Detours north and south add to travel times
Congestion earlier this week at the Horotiu interchange has been alleviated with a lane coned off for northbound traffic leaving the expressway
After these 2 weeks of full closures any remaining work will be done with traffic sharing lanes and the occasional night closure if needed
there are 2 other detours in place until completion in mid-December
The southbound on-ramp at the Gordonton Road Interchange is closed until mid-December
Northbound SH1C traffic is required to exit at Lake Road
head south on SH1 to turn around at Resolution Interchange and proceed north
Read more
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi works to create transport solutions for all New Zealanders – from helping new drivers earn their licences, to leading safety campaigns to investing in public transport, state highways and local roads.
She was 42-year-old Turipapa Tukere of Ngāruawāhia.
Police were alerted to "a number of people fighting" on Waipa Esplanade, near the intersection of Newton St, around 1.30pm on Friday, December 27.
"Sometime later, a critically injured woman was taken to the ambulance station on Jordan St but despite the best efforts of first responders, the woman died before she could be airlifted to hospital," Acting Detective Inspector Andy Saunders said.
A homicide investigation was launched that same day.
Saunders said police inquiries into the circumstances around Tukere's death is ongoing.
"Someone who was present at that fight knows who is responsible," he said.
"We are pleading with those people to come forward and speak to us.
Saunders said while police are "committed to identifying who is responsible for Turipapa’s death", police involved in the investigation "can’t do this without the support and assistance from the community and those who were present".
"There are people who know who is responsible and who are withholding information from the Police, but now is the time to do the right thing and speak to us.”
An increased police presence will remain in the area in coming days, he said.
"We know this is unsettling for our community and those involved, and officers will be carrying out reassurance patrols in the area.
"If you have any information that could help our enquiries, please update us online now at https://webforms.police.govt.nz/en/update-report or call 105."
Police have today formally named a woman who died following an altercation involving a group in Ngāruawāhia, north-west of Hamilton, on Friday.
35 mins ago
25 mins ago
Police have yet to identify those involved in the death of Turipapa Tukere.
Tukere, 42, died after a daylight brawl in Ngāruawāhia on December 27
Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said in a statement police were still seeking information about the death but were following “good lines of enquiry”
“Police have been speaking with a number of people who are helping to build a picture of what occurred leading up to Turipapa’s death.”
Police were alerted to people fighting on Waipa Esplanade
a critically injured woman was taken to the ambulance station on Jordan Street,” Saunders said
“Despite the best efforts of first responders
Turipapa died before she could be airlifted to hospital.”
Police had since collected evidence from “various scenes across Ngāruawāhia” in the hunt for the “person and/or people involved”
Saunders said due to ongoing tension between gangs after Tukere’s death, a Gang Conflict Warrant was issued under the Criminal Activity Intervention Bill.
“The warrant powers have assisted in de-escalating gang tensions in the area with a number of arrests made and weapons seized,” Saunders said
“Police have also obtained information during the execution of these warrants that may be relevant to the homicide
and this information is currently being reviewed by the investigation team.”
The warrant is due to remain in place until tomorrow
Saunders said police continue to appeal to the community and anyone who may have information relating to Tukere’s death should contact police
Any information that could help police enquiries can be provided online at https://webforms.police.govt.nz/en/update-report or by calling 105 using the reference number 241227/6958
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111
Police have named the woman who died in Ngāruawāhia on Friday
died following a brawl in the Waikato town
after reports of people fighting about 1.30pm
Tukere died before she could be airlifted to hospital
Police have since launched a homicide investigation
He is pleading with those people to come forward
He said now is the time to do the right thing
Anyone with information is asked to help via their website or call 105 and use the reference number 241227/6958
last year after a brawl in the Waikato township
A Hamilton man charged with the murder of a woman in Ngāruawāhia has dropped his bid for name suppression
Chalise Tei Barton-Barbarich, 34, was arrested last month after an alleged brawl in Ngāruawāhia on December 27
Turipapa Tukere died during the assault
Barton-Barbarich appeared in the High Court at Hamilton before Justice Kiri Tahana
confirmed name suppression would no longer be pursued
He also entered not guilty pleas to charges of murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to an alleged second victim
Justice Tahana also set down a trial for September 6
Barton-Barbarich was remanded in further custody to reappear for a case review hearing in May
as the accused was led back down to the cells
police spoke with several people to help build up a picture of what allegedly occurred in the lead up to Tukere’s death
Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said police were called to Waipa Esplanade to people fighting
Tukere was taken to the ambulance station on Jordan St
Belinda Feek is an Open Justice reporter based in Waikato
She has worked at NZME for 10 years and has been a journalist for 21
appeared for sentencing in the High Court at Hamilton
After intentionally driving his car into a 15-year-old boy several times on a rural Ngāruawāhia road, Manuhuia Kupe and his partner
got out of their vehicle and laughed at him as he lay pinned underneath
They got back in the car, and Kupe drove it off him
the 29-year-old then did a U-turn and struck the teen again
dragging him several metres towards a fence he’d just smashed through
Crown Solicitor Jacinda Hamilton said the victim
Justice Graham Lang labelled it as “extreme violence ..
before jailing Kupe for seven years and eight months
and sentencing Thompson to 10 months of home detention
Aggravating Kupe’s situation was that he acted similarly just six months earlier when he shoved a 77-year-old grandmother on to the ground before also hitting her with his vehicle
was that he was mistakenly identified by the couple as a witness in the case involving the grandmother
Kupe had just appeared for sentencing in the Huntly District Court on that matter when it was adjourned and he left the court only to come across the teen victim shortly afterwards
The full extent of Kupe and Thompson’s offending has not been able to be revealed until today
when they were in the High Court at Hamilton for sentencing on both matters
Kupe’s two sets of offending amasses 10 pages of summary of facts and includes the pair lying about their involvement with the teen to police afterwards
The elderly victim was cleaning the front yard of her Ngāruawāhia home when she walked across the road to dispose of some garden waste
Kupe became enraged and gestured at her before stopping his car
resulting in her falling backwards on to the concrete and hitting her head
Kupe continued to abuse her as he returned to his car
He then reversed up the road at speed and accelerated towards the victim
his car struck her with a glancing blow to her hip
which shoved her into a fence and knocked her over
Kupe returned and began begging her for forgiveness
grabbing hold of her and not letting her go until she forgave him
Kupe was due to be sentenced in the Huntly District Court for that offending
on charges of threatening to cause grievous bodily harm
and assaulting a person with a blunt instrument
But the hearing was adjourned and he was granted bail
Kupe left court and hopped into his black Toyota
and at 4.55pm they saw the teen victim walking along Old Taupiri Rd
After they passed him the victim crossed the road
The victim dodged the car and went back on to the footpath
Kupe stopped his car and asked the victim if he was the young witness in his case involving the grandmother
swung it around so it was facing the victim
Kupe was heard calling him by the name of the actual witness and saying
“You gave me seven years,” Kupe yelled out while ordering him to stop running
Kupe got out of the car and in fear of being assaulted
But Kupe got back behind the wheel and chased him
The victim tried to get into a member of the public’s vehicle
but the driver locked the door and drove away
and hit him while travelling at 15 to 20km/h
causing him to fall backwards on to the ground
He then got up and tried to jump over the fence but as he did
hitting him as he had one leg over the fence
dragging him under the car for several metres
the couple got out of the car and laughed at him as he lay helpless
They got back in the vehicle and Kupe drove off him and then did a U-turn and accelerated towards him again
The victim was hit and dragged for several metres while Thompson yelled out that he was a “snitch”
and the pair drove towards a relative’s house in Taupiri
Kupe rang police and said his Toyota had been stolen
They then drove it to Pukemokemoke Reserve in Tauhei and abandoned it
Thompson said the car was stolen while they visited a deceased relative at Taupiri Maunga
and denied knowing the car had been used to assault the victim
Thompson said Kupe was “seeing red” and both of them were upset at Kupe “going away for false allegations”
The teen victim suffered extensive injuries
a bruised pancreas and suffered bowel injuries
NZME understands the victim is now mobile again
Crown Solicitor Jacinda Hamilton said Kupe’s offending had been “rather understated” by his counsel
“This offending occurred while he was on bail and involved him chasing the young man down with his vehicle before lining him up on multiple occasions and driving over him repeatedly in an attempt to kill him.”
Hamilton counted that the victim had been struck six times
King disagreed and argued he’d only been hit three times
King argued that there had been no premeditation involved in the offending
the vehicle was used multiple times,” he said
A conscious decision was made to do that.”
King said Kupe had a rough upbringing after his father died and was brought up by his grandparents
She pushed for an eight-year term of imprisonment as the starting point for both sets of offending
while Hamilton submitted 11 years and six months
Justice Lang opted for 12 years and then issued a 25% discount for his guilty plea
Kupe was then sentenced to seven years and eight months’ imprisonment and disqualified from driving for two years
Thompson’s counsel Rosalind Brown said it was her client’s first time in court
She added that although Thompson was in the car
said the word “snitch” and may have encouraged Kupe
just being present in the car wasn’t enough to make her offending any more serious
Thompson had since done a lot of rehabilitative work and written a letter of remorse to the victim’s family
but the court can step back from prison,” Brown submitted
She added that Thompson also had the care of the couple’s young child
the Bangkok Rules – which address the needs of women in the justice system – applied
Justice Lang agreed that home detention was suitable and gave her a 10-month term
much to the disgust of the victim’s family
Waikato police are appealing for sightings of a young woman missing from Ngāruawāhia since Friday
Police have posted on Facebook that the woman
is missing from the small town north of Hamilton
She was last seen on the 17 January around Fairmont Street and is believed to have travelled to the Nelson area
Police said they and her loved ones had serious concerns about her welfare
Anyone with information is asked to call the police 105 number
Remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today
Holidaymakers driving on State Highway 1’s Ngāruawāhia section will have a clear run after more than two years of remedial works and safety improvements ended today
The 12.3km Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway cost $166 million and first opened in December 2013
Some of the remedial work on the section began in 2019
More than two years and about 75,000 tonnes of asphalt and 34,000 tonnes of milled-out material later
motorists will be able to use all four lanes of the highway
Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced the road would be fully reopened to traffic today
“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users while NZTA got this job done,” Brown said in a statement
“Finishing these works before the Christmas holidays will be a welcome relief for motorists who regularly use this important transport corridor.”
Brown said it was his goal as minister to ensure people and freight could get to where they needed to go quickly and safely
“It’s pleasing to see these works completed so that road users can travel at faster speeds across this section of the successful Waikato Expressway.”
NZ Transport Agency senior manager project services Jo Wilton said there was a shout of Christmas cheer this morning as traffic flowed up and down the highway at 110km/h
“Road users have been very patient while we get this job done,” Wilton said
“The narrow worksite with high volumes of traffic have presented a lot of challenges so we are pleased to see this stretch of SH1 back and fully operational.”
Waikato District Council Mayor Jacqui Church said she was delighted to see the improvements completed
“Thank you to NZTA and the contractors who have worked so hard over the last few weeks to enable SH1 to open to its full capacity and at 110 kilometres per hour in time for everyone to enjoy safe journeys over the Christmas period.”
Recent works on the section were led by Fletcher Construction
with the repair portion being completed under a cost-sharing arrangement with NZTA
NZTA contractor Fulton Hogan provided additional horsepower to complete the works by Christmas
Wilton said the remaining remedial works to complete the project
such as planting to improve the water quality of road run-off
can be done behind the new safety barriers and without traffic management
Works on the SH1C portion of the Ngāruawāhia section – on each side of the Waikato River bridge – will be done next year
Maryana Garcia is a Hamilton-based reporter covering breaking news in Waikato
She previously wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times
Cordons are in place in Ngāruawāhia after a person was critically injured in a large brawl
Police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of a 42-year-old woman in Ngāruawāhia this afternoon
The incident occurred about 1.30pm when police received a report of a fight involving multiple people on Waipa Esplanade
A critically injured woman was taken to the ambulance station on Jordan St
but died before she could be airlifted to the hospital
Scene examinations are in progress on Waipa Esplanade
and at the Jordan Street location where she died
“There is a large Police presence in the area
which will continue as our enquiries progress,” a police spokesperson said
“We know these events are unsettling for our communities and those involved
and officers will be carrying out reassurance patrols in the area.”
Anyone with information that could assist the inquiries is urged to contact the police online or call 105
information can be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111
the police are unable to provide any further comment on the matter
Police are speaking with several people after searching premises across Christchurch after a woman’s death in a violent Ngāruawāhia brawl
A homicide investigation is ongoing after Turipapa Tukere
Emergency services were called to a fight between multiple people on Waipa Esplanade
A critically injured Tukere was taken to the ambulance station on Jordan St but died before she could be airlifted to the hospital
Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said inquiries into Tukere’s death led the investigation team to several Christchurch residential addresses
“Staff from the Waikato-based investigation team travelled to Christchurch where they were assisted by Canterbury Police
“Police are now speaking with several people as we work to find answers to key questions
including who was involved and what occurred prior to Turipapa’s death.”
Saunders said police were committed to getting justice for Tukere and her whānau
and prosecuting those responsible for her death
Police still wished to hear from witnesses or anyone who thought they could help the investigation
“Please contact police via 105 either online or over the phone
Please reference file number 241227/6958.”
Saunders earlier said the brawl could have been retaliatory and involved “two distinct groups of gang members” - Tribal Huk and Mongrel Mob
a gang conflict warrant was issued under the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act 2023
The act allows police to apply for special search warrant powers during times of gang conflict
A family member earlier posted on Tukere’s Facebook page
saying; “Rest in love my aunty I can’t believe your gone
“Still tryna comprehend no one deserve that especially not you but I hope you didn’t suffer pup pup,” another said
Another person commented; “no one deserves that
special not YOU...until we meet on the other side
Emergency services were called to a fight involving several people on Waipa Esplanade near the intersection with Newton Street about 1.30pm
a critically injured woman was taken to the ambulance station on Jordan Street," Police Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel Keall said
"Despite the best efforts of first responders
the woman died before she could be airlifted to hospital."
There is a large police presence in the area and cordons are in place at both scenes
"We know these events are unsettling for our communities and those involved
and officers will be carrying out reassurance patrols in the area," Keall said
Waikato Police sought the warrant following the death of Turipapa Tukere, 42, after a violent brawl.
Acting Detective Inspector Andy Saunders said police were alerted to a number of people fighting on Waipa Esplanade near the intersection of Newton St at around 1.30pm on December 27.
"Sometime later, a critically injured woman was taken to the ambulance station on Jordan St but was sadly pronounced dead at the scene."
A homicide investigation was launched later that afternoon.
Saunders said local staff would be supported by officers from Auckland following Tukere's tangi.
"Any antisocial or unlawful behaviour and/or driving-related offending will not be tolerated and those involved can expect to be met with enforcement action.
Police were still wanting to hear from anyone with information which may lead to an arrest, Saunders said.
The Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act 2023 allows police to apply for special search warrant powers during times of gang conflict. (Source: 1News)
Police can apply for special search warrant powers as part of a homicide investigation following the death of a woman in Ngāruawāhia last week.
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Contractors will work day and night to get the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway
Contractors are working day and night to get the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway work completed before Christmas
That means all traffic will be detoured off this section of State Highway 1 from Sunday nights to Friday afternoons for the next few weeks.
Night closures and detours have been in place Sundays to Thursdays this month to ensure the big remedial work and safety improvements are completed by mid-December.
From this Sunday there will be full closures day and night between Taupiri and Lake Rd. The timetable is:
After two weeks of full closures, any remaining work will be done with traffic sharing lanes and the occasional night closure if needed.
There are two other detours in place until completion next month.
The southbound on-ramp at the Gordonton Rd interchange is closed until mid-December.
Road users were given no notice of this, and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) apologises for the inconvenience.
The ramp had to close as all traffic has moved to the northbound lanes, but the ramp was closed several days before that for immediate work.
While the ramp is closed, people need to use the detour route to go south.
Northbound SH1C traffic is required to exit at Lake Rd, head south on SH1 to turn around at Resolution interchange and proceed north.
The detour adds about eight minutes to journeys.
Additional contractors have been brought in, so when closures are in place work has been happening on the northbound and southbound lanes at the same time, NZTA Waka Kotahi senior manager project services Jo Wilton says.
“We are aiming to have all lanes finished and open to traffic before Christmas, which is why we’re throwing more resources at this, working day and night,” Wilton says.
“We have seen excellent progress in the past few weeks when all traffic was detoured off the highway at night Sundays to Thursdays. Now we need to make those detours day and night so crews have complete access.
“Road users have been very patient with the traffic management and detours while we repair and upgrade this section of the Waikato Expressway and we need just a few more weeks to get it finished.
“The big change ahead is the detours running day and night, so we ask people to plan ahead, look at their detour options, and allow extra time for their trips.
“As always with road works there may be disruption from the weather or other unforeseen circumstances, but by setting aside this amount of time for full closures, we’re confident that we’ve got enough time in reserve to ensure the job is done by our December 15 deadline.”
The following schedule is listed on the Waikato Expressway surface works project page nzta.govt.nz/projects/waikato-expressway/expressway-surface-works and drivers are encouraged to check this page for the latest information on closures and detours.
Hamilton District Court is closed and cases have been disrupted.
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Cordons were in place at both scenes and a "large police presence in the area"
A homicide investigation has been launched in Ngāruawāhia
after a disorder incident resulted in a woman's death this afternoon
a police spokesperson said officers were alerted to several people fighting on Waipa Esplanade
near the intersection with Newton St about 1.30pm
a critically injured person was taken to an ambulance station on Jordan St," they said
Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel Keall said
despite the best efforts of first responders
the 42-year-old woman "died before she could be airlifted to hospital"
"Scene examinations are in progress on Waipa Esplanade
and at the Jordan Street location where she died," Keall said
alongside a "large police presence in the area" as inquiries continued
Keall urged anyone with information to contact police on 105, online, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
"We know these events are unsettling for our communities and those involved, and officers will be carrying out reassurance patrols in the area," he said.
Police have launched a homicide investigation after a 42-year-old woman died in Ngāruawāhia
Police have revealed the name of the woman who died in Ngāruawāhia on Friday after a violent brawl
Police were called to a fight between multiple people on Waipa Esplanade
A homicide investigation is under way and Acting Detective Inspector Andy Saunders
said police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of Tukere’s death
“Someone who was present at that fight knows who is responsible,” he said in a statement on Monday
“We are pleading with those people to come forward and speak to us.”
Saunders said police are “committed to identifying who is responsible for Turipapa’s death”
“There are people who know who is responsible and who are withholding information from the Police
The increased police presence will remain in the area
“We know this is unsettling for our community and those involved
and officers will be carrying out reassurance patrols in the area,” he said
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Friends and family members have paid tribute to a woman who died in Ngāruawāhia after a violent brawl in broad daylight
while police have been given special powers to prevent any gang retaliations
A homicide investigation is ongoing after 42-year-old Turipapa Tukere died in the small Waikato town
Emergency services were called to a fight between multiple people on Waipa Esplanade
One family member posted on Tukere’s Facebook page
saying “Rest in love my aunty I can’t believe your gone
Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders
said the circumstances leading to Tukere’s death were understood to involve “two distinct groups of gang members” and urged anyone with information to come forward
“We’re just working hard to get some justice for Turipapa and her whānau,” Saunders said
Saunders told NZME police had received intelligence there was a potential for gang conflict as a result of Tukere’s death
He said there could be retaliation between the Tribal Huk and Mongrel Mob
a gang conflict warrant has been issued under the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act 2023
“Police will exercise powers under the Search and Surveillance Act through gang conflict warrants as necessary to prevent any retaliatory behaviour or further harm.”
“There are people who know who is responsible and who are withholding information from the police
The increased police presence will remain in the Ngāruawāhia area
The police statement didn’t identify the gangs subject to the warrant
but the Herald understands it applies to the Tribal Hux and the Mongrel Mob
which are the two main gangs in Ngāruawāhia
Special search warrant powers will be used by police “as necessary” to prevent acts of retaliation after the death of Turipapa Tukere in Ngāruawāhia last week
As part of the ongoing homicide investigation into the 42-year-old’s death
a Gang Conflict Warrant had been issued under the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act 2023
acting Detective Inspector Andy Saunders said in a statement
The police statement didn’t identify the gangs subject to the warrant, but the Herald understands it applies to the Tribal Huk and the Mongrel Mob, which are the two main gangs in Ngāruawāhia
The Gang Conflict Warrant was sought by police after Tukere’s death
She was found critically injured sometime after police were alerted about 1.30pm to a number of people fighting on Waipa Esplanade
Tukere was taken to an ambulance station on Jordan St but pronounced dead at the scene
Following her tangi today,31/12 local police would be supported by officers from Auckland
“Any antisocial or unlawful behaviour and/or driving-related offending will not be tolerated and those involved can expect to be met with enforcement action
The investigation into Tukere’s death is continuing
and police still want to hear from anyone with any information that may lead to an arrest
“We know there are people who know who is responsible and we are asking them to come forward.”
“Everyone in the community has the right to be safe and feel safe and police are asking the public to report any unlawful behaviour to us on 111 if it is happening [now]
Ngaruawahia United have appointed former New Zealand international Mark Cossey as head coach for their 2025 Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship campaign
Cossey (57) has previously coached Hamilton Wanderers in the Northern League and
at Lotto NRFL Men’s Southern Conference clubs Claudelands Rovers and Papamoa
Cossey takes over from last year’s head coach at Ngaruawahia
Assistant coaches Matt Milner and Harry Brandon have moved to Claudelands Rovers
with Milner taking on the head coach’s role at Galloway Park
Ngaruawahia United have been competitive in the Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship since winning promotion three seasons ago
They came third in last season’s league
behind champions Fencibles United and Manukau United
the Championship will have four Waikato clubs in the 2025 league
with the addition of Melville United and Hamilton Wanderers (both relegated from the Northern League) and Cambridge (promoted from the Southern Conference)
Feature: How will four Waikato clubs cope in next year’s men’s Championship? >>>>
This story was first published on December 14
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May 3-9: OFC U-16 Men’s Championship – qualifying, Tonga (click here for details)
May 5-18 (NZT): Auckland United at OFC Women’s Champions League, Tahiti (click here for details)
May 16-18: Grand final, women’s A-League (click here for details)
Monday May 19 (2.30am NZT): New Zealand U-16 men v Switzerland, FIFA Youth Series, Zurich (click here for details)
Tuesday May 20 (2.30am NZT): New Zealand U-16 men v Guatemala, FIFA Youth Series, Zurich (click here for details)
May 26-June 3: FIFA international window (women)
May 30-June 1: Grand final, men’s A-League (click here for details)
May 31-June 1: Second rounds of Chatham Cup
June 2-10: FIFA international window (men)
Thursday June 5 (7.30am NZT): Chile U-20 v New Zealand U-20, men’s international, Complejo Deportivo Quilín, Santiago (click here for details)
Sunday June 8 (7.30am NZT): Chile U-20 v New Zealand U-20, men’s international, Complejo Deportivo Quilín, Santiago (click here for details)
Sunday June 8 (11am NZT): All Whites v Côte d’Ivoire, BMO Field, Toronto, Canada (click here for details)
Wednesday June 11 (9am NZT): All Whites v Ukraine, BMO Field, Toronto, Canada (click here for details)
June 15-July 13: FIFA Club World Cup, United States (click here for details)
Monday June 16 (6am NZT): Auckland City v Bayern Munich, FIFA Club World Cup, TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio (click here for details)
Saturday June 20 (6am NZT): Auckland City v Benfica, FIFA Club World Cup, Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida (click here for details)
Wednesday June 24 (7am NZT): Auckland City v Boca Juniors, FIFA Club World Cup, Geodis Park, Nashville, Tennessee (click here for details)
June 23-July 1: FIFA international window (women)
July 5-6: Quarter-finals of Kate Sheppard Cup
August 1-14: OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, Samoa (click here for details)
August 15-30: OFC U-16 Men’s Championship, Solomon Islands (click here for details)
August 16-17: Semi-finals of Kate Sheppard Cup
September 2-9: FIFA international window (men)
September 17-24: University of Auckland at FISU Men’s Football World Cup
September 20-24: OFC Futsal Men’s Cup
September 21-October 4: OFC U-19 Women’s Championship
September 27-October 19: FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup
September 27-28: Season starts for men’s and women’s National Leagues
October 7-15: FIFA international window (men)
Wednesday October 15 (k/o TBC): Norway v All Whites, international friendly, Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway (click here for details)
October 17-November 8: FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Morocco (click here for details)
October 20-28: FIFA international window (women)
November 4-28 (NZT): FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup, Qatar (click here for details)
November 10-18: FIFA international window (men)
November 17-22: OFC Futsal Men’s Champions League
November 21-December 7: FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, Philippines (click here for details)
2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Oceania qualifiers
December 13-14: Grand finals of men’s and women’s National Leagues
June 12-July 20 (NZT): FIFA Men’s World Cup
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Lady Tureiti Moxon at the hīkoi to Parliament
The Waitangi Tribunal’s Constitutional Kaupapa Inquiry (Wai 3300) is inviting critical dialogue at the first wānanga-ā-rohe on Māori sovereignty and self-determination between claimants and the Crown
Evidence on what tino rangatiratanga and mana motuhake is in action will be shared at Tomokia Ngā Tatau o Matangireia that the Tribunal says is a “starting point”
The hearing begins at 8.30am today in Ngāruawāhia
The Waitangi Tribunal is encouraging dialogue before confirming the themes of the inquiry
“It’s a critical conversation that needs to be had with Māori – it’s about rights
chair of the National Urban Māori Authority and managing director of Te Kōhao Health
“This is important to those of us who believe that the te Tiriti o Waitangi should be protected
but because of being the founding document of this country that has real meaning and protection.”
She says currently it is reliant on the goodwill of whatever government is voted in
“It’s important to anchor our rights so they’re not easily changed by successive governments.”
Moxon will be giving evidence specifically on tino rangatiratanga and mana motuhake
“as stated the te Tiriti o Waitangi Article”
The tribunal will hear how recognised Māori health organisations and Māori providers like Te Kōhao Health and others like it
recognised by the Waitangi Tribunal as “models of excellence” are an expression of tino rangatiratanga
The organisation provides 35 different health and wellness
Whānau Ora and justice services by 320 staff serving an enrolled population of 8050 in the Waikato
we never ever gave the Crown sovereignty over us,” Moxon said
Her fervent position is that sovereignty is gained in three distinct ways
By conquest such as through using military force
By means of a treaty whereby the previous government gave power to the new government
By occupation in the situation of ‘terra nullius’
when land is acquired that is not under government or sovereign power rule
we were guaranteed our own rights to look after our own within our own tikanga and within our own mana motuhake.”
Moxon believes the Government is acting on its own assumption over Māori – calling it “ultra vires” as it tries to wield dominion well beyond its powers
“Historically it has created all these walls and laws to protect itself and its assumed sovereignty at the expense of Māori.”
Her statement of position succinctly states how the Crown has physically dominated Māori and enforced those taking wealth off Māori
“History shows the Crown has constantly been in breach of those rights through passing legislation
We understand if the Treaty bill goes ahead te Tiriti would be removed from at least 28 pieces of legislation.”
Six potential themes have been currently identified by the tribunal:
(c) Autonomy and self-government (including existing and historic national models of self-governance)
(f) Constitutional legitimacy and sovereignty
(j) Local government and te Tiriti o Waitangi/ the Treaty of Waitangi
(k) Human rights and te Tiriti o Waitangi/ the Treaty of Waitangi
The two-day wānanga-ā-rohe will be held at Waikato-Tainui Endowed College
Wharehoka Wano will lead Te Tōpuni Ngārahu
a body representing the region's eight iwi
This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions
Mike Nock is one of New Zealand's greatest jazz musicians
He's played around the world with some of the biggest names - Miles Davis
and over a hundred on which he's featured as a player
After seven decades at the top of his game
Mike Nock is to be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Wellington tomorrow
He told Kathryn the honour is even more special coming from his country
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The 34-year-old made his second appearance in the High Court in Hamilton this morning.
The Hamilton man pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering Tukere, as well as charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to an alleged second victim.
He did not apply for continued name suppression.
Barton-Barbarich was arrested after two search warrants were executed on February 11, one in Hamilton and one in Tauranga, making his first appearance in the Hamilton District Court later that day.
At about 1:30 pm on December 27, Police were called to a street fight involving several people at the intersection of Newton Street and Waipa Esplanade in Ngāruawāhia.
42-year-old woman Turipapa Tukere died of her injuries before she could be airlifted to Waikato Hospital.
Chalise Teira Barton-Barbarich’s trial has been set for September.
Maioha Panapa. He uri teenei no Ngai Taamanuhiri, Rongowhakaata, Te Whaanau a Apanui me Waikato Maniapoto.
Police have launched a homicide investigation following the woman’s death from critical injuries sustained during an incident on Waipā Esplanade in Ngāruawāhia yesterday afternoon
police responded to reports of a fight involving multiple individuals near the Waipa Esplanade and Newton Street intersection
the severely injured woman was taken to the ambulance station on Jordan Street
she died before she could be airlifted to the hospital
a police spokesperson said there is a significant police presence in the area and that they will continue their enquiries
Authorities have assured the public that they are taking all necessary steps to investigate the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death
Officers will also conduct reassurance patrols to help ease any concerns in the local community
Police have secured two locations as part of their investigation
Scene examinations are currently underway on Waipa Esplanade
and at the Jordan Street ambulance station
Authorities are asking anyone with information relating to the incident to come forward via the police website or call 105 and use the reference number 241227/6958.
By Belinda Feek, Open Justice reporter of
"I won't be home late tonight," Raymond Mathews said to his wife
as he shot out the door to join his mates at golf in Ngāruawāhia on the morning of 9 August
The 80-year-old hopped in his Hyundai and began the approximate 11km trip from his Rototuna
Vanessa Helen Railey jumped in her car and pulled away from her house
It would not be long before their two worlds met in the most tragic circumstances
showed Railey's vehicle travelling 34 seconds behind Mathews
and waited for oncoming traffic before turning right
the 37-year-old Railey ploughed straight into the back of him at full speed
Mathews' vehicle was hit with such force it was shunted 83m down the road into a ditch
They heard the unmistakable sound of a crash and ran to the scene
where they discovered it was their mate involved
and they went inside the clubhouse for a drink in their friend's honour instead
Mathews died of his injuries nine days later
Analysis of Railey's blood found it was five times the tolerance limit of meth at 50ng/ml
and three times over the cannabis tolerance at 3ng/ml
Railey told police she saw Mathews's vehicle as she approached and thought she had enough space to go around him
She initially denied having taken any drugs and could not explain her high drug readings
Railey appeared in the Hamilton District Court for sentencing on charges of drug driving causing death and injury
She sat emotionless throughout the marathon hearing
told Railey she'd been waiting one year and four months to speak to her
to outline the "utter devastation and heartbreak" her actions had caused
Vanessa didn't accidentally consume methamphetamine
"It was not an accident that she got into her car..
"I hope that every day for the rest of your life you are reminded of the pain and devastation you have caused."
She also spoke of how active her father was
He mowed up to 30 lawns and played three rounds of golf a week
Lisa added he would be "gutted" to know he'd been killed by a drug-driver given he worked 43 years as a sales rep
Before counsel Gerard Walsh got a chance to speak
Judge Philip Crayton told him Railey's explanation about how much
she consumed drugs before the crash "just couldn't be true"
Railey told two separate report writers that she'd smoked "two puffs" of meth two nights prior
everyone here knows that doesn't stack up..
Judge Crayton adjourned the case briefly so Walsh could talk to his client to see if she could refresh her memory
Walsh returned to tell the judge she accepted drug use was a daily occurrence at that point and drug tests "speak for themselves"
He added that she was genuinely remorseful and did want to attend a restorative justice conference but it was declined
Whatever she says cannot bring people back and cannot undo the harm that has been done."
Her "addiction was ruling" at the time of the crash
but she was currently in the "early days" of turning a corner on that
as she had begun taking rehabilitative courses
He pushed for the judge to hand down a home detention sentence
Crown solicitor Kasey Dillon told the judge given the lengths he had to go to get Railey to accept her drug-driving culpability during the hearing
I do not accept that you can ascribe the remorse as genuine in this case."
Dillon suggested the judge hand down a short jail term instead of converting it to home detention
Judge Crayton explained he could not find any case law in a case like this where an offender who was sentenced to less than two years did not get it converted to home detention
He then told Railey that if she didn't "allow this event to be a transformative and life-changing event for you then you will not..
have shown what I would call true remorse for your actions"
"This should be a life-changing event for you because you took somebody's life
"You have affected all these people by your choices
"It should be a turning point and if this isn't
Judge Crayton said she should have admitted her drug use a lot earlier
that should not have been a difficult concession given your description of drug misuse and drug use given to various report writers."
She knew she was high on drugs at the time but had struggled to accept it
it was your decision to drive when you were in that state."
He accepted Dillon's submission about remorse and declined to issue any discount given the "deceptive nature" to which she recounted her drug use to report writers
After taking a starting point of three years and eight months' jail
He agreed to convert that to 12 months of home detention with conditions banning drugs and alcohol and urged her to take part in driving courses including the Right Track programme
Judge Crayton also disqualified her from driving for three years and ordered her to pay reparation of $400 to cover the insurance excess
Mathews' daughter Kim said they knew Railey would never go to jail
"Right from the get-go we've had little faith in the justice system and we knew that she wouldn't get anywhere near what we wanted
even if for a short amount of time to give her some solitude to think about how she lives her life."
As for attending a restorative justice conference
Kim felt she only wanted to do it for the discount
"Not once has she ever made any effort to apologise to us
Barry Mathews noticed how Railey sat stoically in the dock throughout proceedings
The fact she got a speeding ticket the day after the fatal crash also showed a lack of insight and only fuelled the family's cynicism about her ability to remain drug-free
- This article first appeared in the New Zealand Herald
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Some fear drivers will swap prescription drugs like medicinal cannabis for more dangerous substances that don't show up on saliva tests
New justice statistics show significant rises in the number of convictions for murder
manslaughter and driving causing death - though population increases are playing a part
New research shows almost a quarter of people in a study had driven not long after taking drugs or medication in the past year
The hit and run happened near Hopuhopu Sports Ground on Old Taupiri Rd in Ngāruawāhia
The same day a man appeared in court for intentionally hitting an elderly woman with his car, he ran down a teenager in a targeted attack that almost killed the boy
The 15-year-old victim suffered multiple fractures and internal injuries and was left fighting for his life in Waikato Hospital after being run down near a Ngāruawāhia sports park on April 10
It came five months after Kupe punched an elderly woman and then drove into her
He had been drinking with friends when he approached the woman who was putting out her rubbish and assaulted her for no apparent reason
He then got into his car and hit her with it
It is understood the elderly victim was not seriously injured
Kupe appeared in the High Court at Hamilton where he did not pursue name suppression and pleaded guilty to attempted murder and attempting to pervert the course of justice
in relation to the hit and run involving the teen
He was initially charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm before it was upgraded
The court has heard that the incident occurred less than an hour after Kupe had appeared in the Huntly District Court for sentencing on charges relating to the woman
the sentencing was adjourned to a later date
standing on Old Taupiri Rd near the entrance of the Hopuhopu Sports Park
He hit him with his car three times before members of the public rushed to the scene
Kupe fled and contacted a relative who he asked to help get rid of his car
He then phoned the police and reported his vehicle stolen
It was later abandoned in the carpark of the Pukemokemoke Bush Reserve near Tauhei
It is understood the victim had been visiting his grandmother when he was hit
the boy’s father said his son was a “good boy” and he could not understand why he had been singled out
Detective Inspector Darrell Harpur labelled the victim’s injuries as “life-changing” and was initially concerned he would not survive
Justice Kiri Tahana convicted him and remanded him back into custody ahead of his sentencing in April
She has worked at NZME for nine years and has been a journalist for 20
The Waikato Expressway near Ngaruawahia will be closed overnight
The Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway will be closed for five nights
The closures were necessary as work to bring the section up to the 110km/h standard continued, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said
“Contractors will be moving temporary steel safety barriers next week as they continue shoulder works and complete work in both the north and southbound lanes.”
The northbound closures would be in place from Sunday until Tuesday
The southbound closures would be in place from Wednesday
the detour routes would be different for each direction due to works in Ngāruawāhia town that prevent southbound highway traffic using this route as a detour
The northbound detour would take SH1 traffic via Ngāruawāhia on the old highway between the Horotiu and Gordonton Rd interchanges
and overweight vehicles need to use SH2/27
Southbound detour traffic will use SH1B, rejoining SH1 via Lake Rd. However heavy vehicles (50 tonnes and above) must continue on SH1B, including the local road detour around Telephone Rd, and connect to SH1 again at Cambridge or via SH26 into Hamilton
NZTA asked people to take extra care when travelling along the detour route and follow any temporary speed limits
signs and instructions from the traffic management team
Contractors were carrying out shoulder widening works and construction of new maintenance bays
shoulder barrier works and structural pavement treatment works
A final continuous asphalt surface would complete the repair works
replacing the temporary chip seal and asphalt surfaces
which have been in place during earlier temporary repairs and while moisture monitoring was conducted
The safety improvements needed to bring the road up to the 110km/h standard include making side barriers continuous and upgrading some barriers
The works are expected to finish in mid-2025
although NZTA and its contractors are continuing to look at ways to finish the works earlier
Gracie has been reported missing from the Ngāruawāhia area.
Police and her loved ones have serious concerns for her welfare.
Gracie was last seen on January 17 in the area of Fairmont St, Ngāruawāhia, according to a police statement on social media.
She is believed to have travelled to the Nelson area.
If you have seen her or have any information that might help with police inquiries, please contact them via 105, quoting file number 250118/4207.
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Tainui-Waikato are expecting big crowds for Koroneihana celebrations. Photo / Supplied / Office of the Kingitanga
Tūrangawaewae Marae is expecting to receive thousands of manuhiri with Te Kiingitanga and Tainui waka preparing for next week’s annual Koroneihana celebrations of Kiingi Tuheitia.
It will be the 18th anniversary of Tuheitia’s coronation which took place on August 21, August 2006, following the death of his mother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.
Many special international guests are coming including the King and Queen of Tonga, the Kaumaiti Nui of Rarotonga, Pomare Ariki of Tahiti, representatives of Kanaka Maoli of Hawai’i, and the Aleut Nation of St Paul Island, Alaska.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, other party leaders and the Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro will also be there.
Kiingitanga spokesman Ngira Simmonds wrote in a statement that the movement has been preparing for months for the week-long celebrations.
“Rangatira from across the motu will be returning to Turangawaewae to pick up the conversation begun at Hui-aa-Motu in January, where more than 12,000 people came to discuss issues of national unity and nationhood.
“Hui-aa-Motu emphasised the importance and power of Kotahitanga and Mana Motuhake and we will pick up that conversation again at Koroneihana.”
He said a large delegation from Te Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa will be arriving to pay tribute to Tuheitia and discuss issues of common interest and concern, such as climate change, environmental protection and social cohesion.
“We know from countless studies and experience that Maaori and Pasifika people bear the brunt of economic downturns and social and environmental problems. But we also have solutions that are grounded in our culture and the teachings of our ancestors, which we are prepared to use for the benefit of people everywhere.”
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when Tuheitia will deliver his annual address to the nation
Live coverage of next week’s events will be available across all Kiingitanga social media platforms
Police are appealing for help from the public to locate missing woman Gracie who was last seen in Ngāruawāhia
Police are asking for the public’s help in locating missing woman Gracie
Gracie has been reported missing from the Ngāruawāhia area
Police and her loved ones have serious concerns for her welfare
Gracie was last seen on January 17 in the area of Fairmont St
according to a police statement on social media
She is believed to have travelled to the Nelson area
If you have seen her or have any information that might help with police inquiries
two plunket rooms and a rowing club have been identifed among earthquake-prone buildings in Waikato
Initial checks by Waikato District Council found buildings at 28 sites fall well below the quake-prone threshold of building standards
That threshold is 34 percent of new building standard
whereas all these buildings are below 25 percent
The council is now bringing in engineers to do more detailed assessments
Only then would it know more about the risks and what approach to take
The future of some buildings may be in question if their quake rating fell still further after a detailed check
Sky Stadium in Wellington is doing work to improve the resilience of the building's floor in case of a significant earthquake
It is the latest of several projects the stadium trust has undertaken since the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake that shook buildings in Wellington
The stadium has a New Building Standard rating of 70 to 80 percent
the trust chief executive Warrick Dent said
"The stadium is not considered earthquake-prone
the NBS rating is well above the threshold," he said
"An NBS rating is not targeted," an earlier tender said
The new project is to strengthen the 34,500-seat venue's floor by putting in extra supports
"The works are not being undertaken due to any requirement to strengthen the building"
or in response to changes in quake assessment guidelines
The building is among a host of courts nationwide that need expensive work done to make them safe or suitable to use
The government has revisited plans for a complete rebuild of the hospital
Councillors decide on Thursday whether to sell the 34 percent stake in the capital's airport
Here's what we know so far about how they will vote
It will be the 18th anniversary of Kiingi Tuheitia’s coronation which took place on August 21, August 2006, following the death of his mother, Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu.
Many special international guests are coming, such as the King and Queen of Tonga, the Kaumaiti Nui of Rarotonga, Pomare Ariki of Tahiti, representatives of Kanaka Maoli of Hawai’i, and the Aleut Nation of St Paul Island, Alaska.
Prime Minister Chris Luxon, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, alongside other political party leaders and the Governor-General will also be there.
He said a large delegation from Te Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa will be arriving to pay tribute to Kiingi Tuheitia and discuss issues of common interest and concern, such as climate change, environmental protection and social cohesion.
Koroneihana will start this Thursday, August 15, and finish on Wednesday, August 21, when Kiingi Tuheitia will deliver his annual address to the nation.
Live coverage of next week’s events will be available across all Kiingitanga social media platforms.
Newly-promoted Northern League club Fencibles United have signed prolific goalscorer Darius Palma from Ngaruawahia United
Palma (26) ran away with the Golden Boot in last season’s Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship
scoring 24 goals in the 22-round competition
Fencibles United have announced the signings of Palma and his Ngauruawahia United teammate
The English imports were both at non-league club Stalybridge Celtic before they joined Ngaruawahia last season
Fencibles took the NRFL Men’s Championship title to win promotion
came to New Zealand for a fresh start after a shoulder injury had disrupted his professional career
Main photo: Darius Palma … scored 24 goals in his debut season in New Zealand. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek
Boon (24) came through the Bolton Wanderers academy and made his professional debut for Bolton in 2019
making appearances for the club in League One
he played for Atherton Collieries in the Northern Premier League Premier Division
and had spells with clubs in Sweden and Australia
Ngaruawahia United will be coached by former All White Mark Cossey in the 2025 season
United’s assistant coach will be Kshitij Gohel
READ MORE: Former All White Mark Cossey to coach Ngaruawahia United next season >>>>
READ MORE: Ngaruawahia United add Kshitij Gohel to next season’s coaching staff >>>>
Feature: How will four Waikato clubs cope in next year’s men’s Championship? >>>>
This story was first published on February 19
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